Close to the locals

The year was 2560.The season was winter.The temperature was 34 degrees, with a sensation of 38 during the day.

A post apocalyptic future?

Far from it. Simply Thailand.

With a large Buddhist majority, it is not surprising that this country doesn’t follow the Christian calendar.

The year is counted according to the death of Buddha Gautama, 543 years before the supposed birth of Christ.

The cozy Thai winter offers sunny days and pleasant temperatures, especially at night, with good breezes for sports and gymnastics in the parks around the capital. Between 5pm and 6pm a coach dictates the music with the microphone, making ladies, gentlemen and young people move their joints to the rhythm of the most varied western songs with Thai lyrics. Impossible not to smile when witnessing this.

Parks, subway stations, television channels and radio stations will play loud and clear the Thai anthem every day at that time.

So get up and respect.

It’s amazing how everything stops at that time. Cars, people running, motorcycles. It’s as if you’ve pressed the Pause in your remote control for a moment. Everyone stand up, and with a firm posture they hear the national anthem.

Thailand is the unity of Thai blood and body.The whole country belongs to the Thai people, maintaining thus far for the Thai.All Thais intend to unite together.Thais love peace but do not fear to fight.They will never let anyone threaten their independence.They will sacrifice every drop of their blood to contribute to the nation, will serve their country with pride and prestige full of victory.Chai Yo. [Thai language for ‘Cheers’].

In the coincidences of life, it presented me again with Peter and Ramona.
For those who do not remember, I met them both around the ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon. We spent the afternoon and had lunch together, and then I even got a ride back to Beirut.

What happened a few months later in Bucharest, Romania, was already surprising.
Only a few hours in the Romanian capital and a car comes up honking incessantly, and there was the happy couple again.

Nothing combined. It was simply to happen, and it happened in Thailand one more time.

Traveling through Asia, they were in Bangkok the same week I arrived.

Life is Beautiful!

The night arrives and with it come the most diverse markets with their tents offering varied meals. Ok, I have to say that it happens during the day either.

Some foreigners warned me to be careful about the hygiene of the establishments, but anyone who sees the kitchen does not see a full belly. If the place is full of Thais, it’s more than enough for me.

If they survive this, why won’t I do the same?

The less sophisticated the place, the better.

Tables on the sidewalk, itinerary kitchen with casters, food and seasonings hanging unprotected. I can sum it all up in one word: DELICIOUS!

The markets are numerous and to get to them I have opted for two ways: my feet or public transportation.

Taxis are extremely cheap compared to other countries. A 6km ride will be something around 80 bahts (2 euros or 8 reais). But think with me. With this amount you can enjoy 2 meals on the street.

Why not take a bus for 18 cents of Euro or 70 cents or Real then?

You will arrive at the same place, obviously taking longer, but with close contact with the local people.

Inside a taxi I feel in another world. Closed by doors and windows, with air conditioning, I am far from the people.

I see everything and I feel ashamed. I would like to be sweating with them, with those warm and sincere smiles. On the bus I’m with them, I’m no better than anyone, I’m part of the crowd and I feel happy about it.

I know that I will never be a Thai, nor a Korean, Indian or German, but if I choose to live in the country of each one of them, I want to live as close to every possible culture as possible.